By Jo Miles
© April 21, 2026
File size: 1.5 MB
348 pages
ISBN-13: 979-8988593461
When Glendevyn is appointed as head curator of the Infinite Pantry, a magical museum of the world’s most treasured foods, she finds more than a job; she finds a home and the family she’s always wanted. When the preservation spells protecting the delicate exhibits begin to fail, elven mage Irdruan is at a loss. Where is the damage coming from? How can they stop it? Irdruan would do anything for Glendevyn, and for the museum. Together, Glendevyn, Irdruan, and the rest of the staff must fight for their home while also supporting one another with love, good food, and a nice pot of tea.
I love curling up with an engrossing cozy fantasy, and this book fits the bill perfectly. While the stakes are high for the characters, Tea and Treachery is a relaxing read. It’s fantasy, yes, with various races of beings, some human, some not. There’s also a touch of romance, though it’s light and warm, with no spice. But it’s also a mystery—what in the heck is destroying the protective magic? And how? I loved that aspect of the story as much as the fantasy elements. About 30% of the way through, I began having suspicions about what was really going on, but I wasn’t convinced until much further into the story. And even then, I didn’t know the why of it. When the reveal came, I was caught off-guard and loved that twist. But the story didn’t end there. Author Jo Miles kept me hanging on to the very last page.
The story itself is well told and captivating. Pacing felt steady and reliable, such that I kept turning pages without feeling stressed. The characters, diverse in their origin, delighted me. Gargoyles, urshae, nymphs, elves, centaurs, and more. And the author clearly has a love of good food. I could tell by the way they described the foods—and the eating thereof—in the book. All of this made for a sweet tale. That alone would have been enough to keep me reading.
But Tea and Treachery folded additional ingredients into the recipe that warmed me to the core. The Pantry is built on the love and dedication of its staff to each other and to the Pantry and its purpose. There’s a generous helping of found family here, something I think this world (the one we live in every day) could use. Also, the author’s inclusivity with character representation made me love the book even more.
The cover seems to indicate that this is the first book in a series. And though the story introduced in this book is wrapped up completely by the last page, there’s plenty of potential for other tales here. I can’t wait to sit once again with these characters, so I can get to know them even better!
If you love cozy fantasy, trust me: this needs to be next on your TBR list. Highly recommended.